In a year’s time, Canada welcomes the world as the FIFA World Cup is played on the country’s soil for the first time.
One Canadian Premier League player has particular ambitions of being there. Halifax Wanderers midfielder Andre Rampersad and the Trinidad and Tobago men’s national team are deep in Concacaf World Cup qualifying, looking to make their first appearance at the tournament in 20 years.
On Tuesday, Trinidad and Tobago secured a spot in the third and final round of Concacaf 2026 World Cup qualifying. The man they call Mr. Halifax appeared in all four matches for the Soca Warriors in the second round of qualifiers.
Now, just 12 teams remain, fighting for three automatic World Cup berths and two inter-confederation playoff spots. Canada, the United States and Mexico have already qualified for the competition as hosts. If Trinidad and Tobago can join them, Rampersad could make history as the first active Canadian Premier League player to appear at a FIFA World Cup.
Trinidad and Tobago’s lone World Cup appearance came at Germany 2006, when Rampersad was 11 years old. That iconic team featured West Ham United goalkeeper Shaka Hislop, Sunderland forward Kenwyne Jones and was captained by Aston Villa and Manchester United striker Dwight York.
Rampersad’s first call-up for the Soca Warriors was several years in the making. He was initially invited to join the team in May 2021, but couldn’t travel due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Finally, almost two years later, in March 2023, his opportunity came. He made his debut on March 24, 2023 starting in a Concacaf Nations League match against the Bahamas.
“One of the dreams as a kid playing soccer is representing your country,” said Rampersad at the time. “To finally see all the hard work I’ve put in come into play now, it’s definitely a great feeling for me.”
Rampersad hasn’t looked back since, earning a spot on the Gold Cup roster that summer and 22 total caps since as a regular starter for Trinidad and Tobago. At the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup, he scored his first international goal with a lovely backheel against Jamaica.
Rampersad began his professional career in Trinidad, signing with Santa Rosa at the age of 18. While playing for the club, he caught the eye of the then-national team Head Coach Stephen Hart.
When Hart was appointed as head coach of the Halifax Wanderers ahead of the Canadian Premier League's inaugural season, he brought Rampersad with him.
The team in that first year featured a solid group of Trinidad internationals, including goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams, midfielder Elton John and striker Akeem Garcia.
Since then, no player has suited up for the Halifax Wanderers more than Rampersad, and only a handful of players have made more than his 150 appearances in all competitions for any CPL club. Only Forge's Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson has made more appearances by an international player.
In October, the club announced they had signed him to an extension through the 2026 season, with a club option for 2027.
"Andre is an inspirational leader who has proven to be an incredible person through the transformation of this league since day one," said Wanderers head coach Patrice Gheisar following that announcement.
On Saturday, the Halifax Wanderers host Cavalry FC at the Wanderers Grounds (4 p.m. AT / 3 p.m. ET) as part of the Canadian Premier League’s One Year Out celebrations.
Rampersad won’t be playing, as he will be in San Jose, California, where Trinidad and Tobago kick off the 2025 Gold Cup campaign against the United States the next day. In fact, if all goes to plan, he might be away from Halifax for a while as Trinidad look to reach the competition's knockout rounds for the first time since 2015.
But over the Canadian Premier League’s seven years, nobody has worn the Halifax Wanderers’ blue more proudly than Rampersad. Now, he is hoping to fly the Wanderers flag on the world stage.